Wanna try some delicious local food? Check out Pono Market. Located in Kapa'a Town, this historic market sells Hawaiian food and local style plate lunches featuring island favorites like Shoyu Chicken, Kalua Pig, Chicken Lau Lau, Pork Adobo, and more! They also sell Poke Bowls, Rice Bowls, and Fried Chicken Bowls along with a variety of poke and sides. Their menu changes daily. 

HOURS: Monday - Friday 6am-2pm. Closed Saturday & Sunday.

Konohiki Seafoods specializes in desserts, Hawaiian favorites, and, of course, delicious seafood dishes! They sell everything from poke and plate lunches to pies, mochi, and spam musubi.

If you’re starting the tour in Lihue, we recommend you pick up some snacks and water here. There are limited spots for food until you reach Kapa’a, where you’ll have tons of choices. Not hungry? Just skip this spot. 

HOURS: 6:30am - 5pm (Closed Sundays)

Technically, Sleeping Giant has three hikes of varying difficulties, but our tour takes you to the Sleeping Giant West Trail, which is the easiest. This trek is just over 2-miles round trip, and once you reach the top, you’ll be amazed by the sweeping views of the entire Wailua Valley, Kauai’s coast, and Kapa’a Town.

The hike involves a bit of a climb and makes for a pretty good cardio workout! There are some steep and rocky sections. And if it has rained recently, the trail can get very slippery, so be careful.

NOTE: Stay on the main trail and don't follow any side trails. Some of these are pig trails that don't lead anywhere.

Alltrails

The Kuilau Ridge Trail begins at the Keahua Arboretum. The beginning part of this trail is relatively flat with a broad shaded path through an old growth forest featuring many native plants. Enjoy panoramic views of the Makaleha Mountains. The four-mile round trip trail is quite long, but we recommend just hiking the first mile or so.

Alltrails

Ho'opi'i Falls is a fairly easy hike featuring two beautiful waterfalls!

Parking:

Go past the last house on the left. Look for parking along the shoulder on the left side (where there are no houses) then turnaround and park.

To the First Waterfall:

The hike to the first waterfall is about 2-mile round trip. Take the main trail and hang a right at the stream. Then just follow the river for about 10 minutes. When you hear the waterfall, take the second path down to the waterfall. It is a little steep, but the roots kinda act like stairs. (The first path leads to the same place but is much steeper.)

To the Second Waterfall:

From the first waterfall, return back to the main trail then continue for about 30 minutes or so. Close to the trail’s end, the trail forks to the right. Then you have to climb up a small hill before getting down to the base of the waterfall where you can swim. The second falls plunge into a wider pool with a rope swing. When done, just return back the way you came.

Just so you know, if you decide to check out the second waterfall, you may see signs that say “no trespassing,” but the land is actually state land. However, the access path is leased by some farmers. Occasionally the farmer may discourage going further, and if so, you need to respect their wishes. But mostly, no one minds as long as you respect the area and pick up your trash.

Directions to Trailhead:

Go to the end of Kawaihau Road, the trail starts next to the last house on the left. There is no sign and might be overgrown with grass. But you’ll find a worn-out path that leads you on the trail.

Alltrails

Cautions:

• Drive slow in the residential neighborhood and do not block driveways or mailboxes.
  
• Use good judgement as usual.
• Do NOT go if recently rained or there is a flash flood warning.
• Avoid getting water in your eyes, nose, mouth or open sores. The water here contains Leptospira and other harmful bacteria that could make you very sick.

Please note: Reservations are required to enter the Kadavul Temple building, but visitors may freely visit the outdoor grounds from 9 am - noon.

Nestled on the outskirts of Wailua State Park, you’ll find a 363-acre Hindu monastery that’s considered one of the holiest sites in the Hindu religion. This Kadavul Temple is home to the largest quartz crystal on earth surrounded by 108 golden statues of the Hindu god Siva. At the monastery, you can also walk through the site’s sacred garden where you’ll see rudraksha trees, a shrine to Ganesha, and a Hindu demi-god in the form of an elephant. 

There’s no entrance fee, but donations are welcome.

HOURS: 9 am - noon

For reservations for the Kadavul Temple, click here.

For temple protocol and dress code, visit here.

Lydgate Beach Park's golden sands and protected waters make it a favorite place for families and visitors of all ages. Kids will enjoy the gigantic Kamalani Playground. There are also rock-enclosed pools that make swimming and snorkeling safe and fun for children and beginning swimmers. The protective pools were constructed so that reef fish can still come and go as they please. You can also find lifeguards, picnic tables, and restrooms here. 

Located in Wailua River State Park, Opaeka’a Falls is a spectacular 150-ft waterfall that flows over volcanic basalt rocks. Stop for a photo op right next to the parking lot as there’s no hike to the falls. If you have the time, follow the path here and cross the road for a nice view of Wailua River. 

Hikinaakala Heiau and Hauola Heiau are ancient Hawaiian temples located in Lydgate Park at the end of the road.

Hikinaakala means "Rising Sun" in Hawaiian. This heiau was built approximately 1,200 years ago and was dedicated to the sun. Because it's located on the east side of the island, it was the perfect place to watch the sunrise. In ancient times, the dawn of the day was celebrated here with chants, drumming, and prayers. It is said that on special sunrises during the equinoxes, the sun literally lit up the heiau. Its lava rock walls were believed to have been six feet high and up to eleven feet wide! That’s a lot of heavy rock, hand-picked, carried, and placed.

The other heiau, Hauola, was a refuge and sanctuary. Here the gates were always open to the fugitive who broke the law or kapu. He could rush in and remain within its walls for a few days or even more. Upon leaving, he would be immune to punishment and free to go.

For more information on these heiau, click here.

Although not large in size, archeologists believed that this Holoholoku Heiau is the oldest temple on Kaua'i and of great significance. The temple is located right next to the royal birthstone where chiefesses from the ruling families came to give birth. Only by delivering her baby at this sacred location, could a mother of royal lineage ensure her child’s chiefly status. All the kings of Kaua’i were born here–including Kauai’s last ruling chief, King Kaumuali’i.  

Now, some archaeologists believe this heiau was a luakini or war temple where human sacrifices were made. Legend says the first Polynesian temple drums were brought from Tahiti and placed right here to be used in sacrificial ceremonies. However, some Native Hawaiian elders or kupuna of the area disagree. According to oral history, this heiau was actually used as an agricultural temple. And rather than announcing the death of humans, they say the drums here were used to announce the birth of royal babies. 

When you’re done here, turn left to continue the tour. After you pull out of the heiau, look to your left. The large, flat lava rock is the royal birthstone where those of royal lineage were born. Again, it’s just around the corner as you leave the heiau.   

Next to the Holoholoku Heiau are the sacred birthing stones. The royal birthstone is where chiefesses from the ruling families came to give birth. Only by delivering her baby at this sacred location could a mother of royal lineage ensure her child's chiefly status.

All the kings of Kaua'i were born here--including Kauai's last ruling chief, King Kaumuali'i.

Next to the birthing stone on the right is a very large rock with grooves in it. This was the pohai piko where, according to Hawaiian custom, the umbilical cord and placenta were wrapped in kapa cloth and wedged into the holes in the rock. As an ancient ritual, the parents of the newborn child did this to foretell the future of the child. 

Poli'ahu Heiau is located high above the Wailua River with a commanding view of both the sea and the mountains. Legend has it that this heiau was built by the menehune, the ancient little people of Hawai'i who were expert architects and builders.

Because of its size and construction, most scholars believe that this was likely a luakini heiau or sacrificial temple where rituals involving animal--and even human--sacrifice took place. These sacrifices were most likely to honor the war god, Ku. 

In ancient times there used to be a bellstone here. This was a huge rock that, when struck in just the right way, would make a deep thumping sound that would echo throughout the entire valley. This was used to announce important visitors and events or even the birth of a child.

Also from the small parking area, you’ll get a chance to view the mighty Wailua River in all its glory as it makes its final voyage into the Pacific.

For more information about the history of Poli'ahu Heiau, click here.

Wailua Falls is the first waterfall we will visit on this tour. These twin falls are one of the largest and most accessible waterfalls on Kaua'i. Plunging over a hundred feet off a cliff, Wailua Falls offers a very dramatic view.

Fun Fact: Wailua Falls was featured in the opening scene of the popular 1970s TV show Fantasy Island!

The name Wailua in Hawaiian means “two waters”. Some say that this represents the two forks of this great river, or the meeting of two waters – fresh water & salt water at the river mouth. But some historians suggest that Wailua was named after the great 14th century chief, Wailua Nui Aho’anu.

Standing below Mt. Kawaikini and Mt. Wai’ale’ale, which is the wettest place on earth, Wailua Falls flows year round with an abundant supply of water. If you are lucky, you will see a rainbow over the falls. It is a real treat.

Alltrails

Pull over into a parking lot to learn about Sleeping Giant and view the mountain from a completely different vantage point. 

Kapa’a Town is a seaside neighborhood with cute restaurants, a few hotels, and some historic landmarks. During your visit, walk around the town to visit local shops or try some delicious Hawaiian food.

For the landmarks in Kapa’a Town, we’ll have you pull over to listen to stories about these sites. Here’s what you’ll find: 

• Kapa’a Library and Mo'ikeha Railroad Bridges
  
• Japanese Lantern 
• Hee Fat Building